Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) has successfully launched India’s first domestically developed unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B, marking a significant achievement in the country’s defense sector. The historic event was revealed at a press conference in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where a video of the maiden flight was presented.
The UAV, classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), is designed to enhance India’s defense capabilities. The drone is equipped with optical systems for surveillance and missile-like armaments for precision air strikes. Tested at a secret location, the FWD 200B’s inaugural flight is a major step toward realizing India’s goal of producing a combat drone entirely within the country.
Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that India has been one of the world’s largest arms importers in recent years, often paying exorbitant prices for foreign military technology. “The successful flight of the FWD 200B is a triumph not just for our company, but for the entire nation,” he stated.
He further emphasized that this success comes after years of dedicated effort to develop an indigenous combat UAV, overcoming numerous challenges that had previously stalled similar projects by major defense organizations.
The drone was entirely designed and built in India at FWDA’s advanced manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The aircraft’s aerodynamics, airframe, propulsion systems, control systems, and electronics were all produced in-house.
The FWD 200B features a wingspan of 5 meters and a length of 3.5 meters. Despite its compact size, it has a Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 102 kg and can carry a payload of up to 30 kg, making it capable of executing precise and impactful missions. It operates at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet, with an absolute ceiling of 15,000 feet, and can reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h. With a runway requirement of just 300 meters and an endurance of 7 hours, the FWD 200B can cover a range of 800 km.
The FWD 200B is expected to be available at a fraction of the cost of imported drones like the US Predator, showcasing India’s ability to produce world-class defense technology. This marks the start of a new era in indigenous military technology, positioning India as a leader in unmanned aerial systems and reducing dependence on costly imports. The company also plans to introduce a larger drone with a 12-meter wingspan soon.
Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, founded in 2022 by Suhas Tejaskanda, is India’s first unmanned aerial vehicle and component manufacturing company. Based in Bengaluru, the company aims to reduce India’s reliance on expensive foreign drones and promote the “Make in India” initiative. In addition to defense, FWDA has also developed AI-ML integrated drones for the agricultural sector.
FWDA recently became the first Indian company to receive type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for indigenous UAV technology, further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.
